Well-drilling machine



6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 1, 1929.

6 Sh ts-Sheet 2 NSN Jan. 1, 1929.

l. T. THOMPSON WELL DRILLING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1925 Jan. l, 1929.

l. T. THOMPSON WELL DRILLING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1925 6 Sheets-sheet5 Amr?? Jan. 1, 1929. 1,697,211

|.f'r. THQMPsoN WELL DRILLING MACHINE Filed une 20, i925 6 Sheets-Sheet4 SQL JJ Jan. 1, 1929.

l. T. THOMPSON WELL DRILLING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 20,1923 Jan. 1, 1929. 1,697,211 A I T. THOMPSON WELL DRLLING MACHINE FiledJune 2o, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet e mu\ n Patented Jan. 1, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC T. THOMPSON, 0F AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN WELLWORKS, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, A' CORPORATION OF'ILLINOIS.

i WELL-DRILLIN G MACHINE.

Application led June 20, 1923. Serial No. 646,514.l

This invention relates to improvements in machinery designed for themaking ofdeep wells. It i's common practice in the making of deep wellsin certain localities to use a rotary boring device whichwill operate asuitable boring member and which is also used in raising and loweringthe well casing, and it is also common practice touse a cable thatcarries at its lower end asuitab-le tool or tools that, through theraising and dropping of the cable, act to deepen the well bore. Indeed1n some oil-well sectionsthe use of the rotary mechanism in the finalstages of the wellmaking operat-ion, or the bringing in7 of the well, asit is termed, is prohibited,A so that the use of the cable and thereciprocation Vthereby of tools is a necessary operation. It

n is also customary before using the rotary apparatus to usecable-operated spudding tools in connection with the work that isy donefor 'the making of the first fifty to one hundred feet of-the well. Thenecessity for changing from one method of operation to another in theformation of a single well has heretofore required two separate machinesin connection with the'usual derrick with the result of loss of time andmoney in connection with obtaining the second machine and substitutingit for the one-that has been in use.

It is the leading object of my invention to provide a single machinethat when installed at the place where the well is to be drilled ean, bycomparatively slight shifting of parts of the mechanism, be adapted toeffectively operate either of said forms' of Well-sinking apparatus. Iaccomplish this object as illustrated in the drawings and hereinafterdescribed. That which is believedto be new will be set forthin theclaims.

In the drawings-- Fig. l is a side elevationof the machine;

Fig. 2 is a. view similar to F ig. l but taken from the other side oft-he machine, and showing a portion of a derrick arranged over anordinary rotary with which the machine is shown connected;

Fig. 3 chine;

Fig. l'is a section takensubstantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2and'illustrating the clutch device that connects a drive pulley with thecrank-shaft of the engine, from v which pulley power is taken forVdriving the wheel that operates the walking-beam;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 6 is aisection taken substantially on tne line 6'-6 of F ig. 2 andshowing the main power shaft and p-arts carried thereto; Fig. 7

is a section taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Fig. 3 andillustrating one of the clutch devices on the shaft of that one of th'edrums that is driven when the rotary is used; I

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. l;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9 9 of` Fig. l; and yFig. l0 is a detail illustrating the connection of the ytool-carryingcable with the walking-beam of the machine. y

Referring to the several figures of the vdrawings,'20 indicates the baseof the machine, said base comprising longitudinallyextending sidebarsand transverse end bars connected therewith, and preferably one or moreintermediate longitudinal bars and transverse bars to form a very heavysup'- porting structure, which structure is preferably provided withfront wheels 21 and rear wheels 22 in order that the machine may bereadily moved to and from its place of use. Rising from the rear portionofthe supporting base is a vertical framework 23 that will preferably bebraced by diagonally-arranged braces 24 extending between it and theside bars of the main y between the side bars ofthe main frame 20 andbolted or otherwise secured to oneof the -transverse beams thereof is anengine 25,

by an endless belt 29 that extends over an.

other wheel 30 supportedfrom the vert-ical frame 23, such arrangementpermitting thev turning-of the valve by an operator located adjacent tothe rear end of the machine. A 1s a rear end elevation of the mapistonrod 31 connects at its rear end with the crank portion' of a crank shaft32 supported 'in suitablevbearings secured to the side bar members ofthe main frame. 32a -indicates a fly-Wheel secured uponuone end of thispower driven shaft. Upon a short pulley shaft 32b frame 20. Located isopened and .closed ,by

that also passes around and drives a large pulley wheel 35 thatis madefast to a shaft 36 journaled in bearings a short distance in rear of thefront portion of the main frame.

vbar 37 is a/handle 40, which at its free end will preferably beflattened and provided with a hole through which a rope or chain may beinserted, so that through such rope or chain the handle may be liftedand secured as desired in order to regulate the eX- tent to which theroller 39 will bear against the belt 34. Upon the other end of the shaft36 from that to which the large pulley7 wheel 35 is secured is aflixed acrank 41 in which,`

as shown in Fig. 1, are a number of holes through any one of which willbel passed and secured a pin upon which is journaled a pitman 42 that atits up-per end will be detachably secured in any suitable manner to oneend of a walking-beam 43. As will be understood, the extent of' rockingof the walking-beam will be determined accordingly as the pivot pin thatconnects the pitman with the crank is inserted in one or the other ofthe holes in such crank.

The walking-beam 43 is pivotally mounted at 44 upon the upper end of aheavy post 45 that rises vertically from the main frame 20 adjacent tothe rear end thereof and also adjacent to one of the side bars thereof,such post being, in the construction shown, lbraced in position by along diagonal brace 46 ex- -tending toward the front of the machine,

and by another brace bar 47 extending toward that side of thefmachineopposite to that'from which the post 45 rises. 48 indicates a head onthe upper end of the post, and upon that head rests a heavy plate 49centrally through which projects a stud 50. This heavy pla-te has formedwith it oppositely-located vertical ears 51 in which are journaled thetrunnions or pivots 44 that are formed with the member 52 that issecured t`o and depends from the central portion of the walkingbeam 43.This construction of course, as will be understood, permits the.walking-beam to have its usual rocking motion vertically and also, byreason of the pivotal connection 50 enables such rocking beam to beturned laterally when, as hereinafter explained, such walking-beam isnot to be used. When it is in use, however, it is re strained from an vlateral movement by means of bolts 53 that lock the parts 48 and 49together, as clearly shown in Fig. 9.

Journaled in brackets that are secured to the vertical members of theframe 23 that rises from the rear end portion of the main frame 20 is amain power shaft 54, upon which are mounted the various sprockets that,through suitable sprocket chains, drive the drums hereinafter referredto around which the respective cables are wound that support the toolsand casing that are rotated by the rotary device, vand also'that supportthe tools that are vertically reciprocated when the cable rig,so'called, is used in place of the rotary. -This main power shaft 54 isdriven from the shaft 32 by a chain 55 that passes over a sprocket 56fast on the power driven shaft32 and a sprocket 57 fast on the shaft 54.Near one end of the shaft 54 is a sprocket 58 over which passes a chain59`that also passes over a sprocket 60 carried, as usual, by the rotarywhich, in Fig. 2,. is indicated generally by 61. This rotary may be ofany ordinary construction, and will be supported in any usual mannerover the mouth of the well that is being formed and will rotate theusual drill rod, or will also be employed to rotate the Well casingitself. The sprocket 58 is loose on the shaft 54 but is adapted to 68indicates a largev drum mounted on a` .shaft r69 extending transverselyof the machine and mounted in bearings carriedby the upright members 23of the said vertical frame. Loosely mounted upon this shaft 6 9 nearopposite ends thereof are two sprockets 70, 71, respectively. Over thesprocket 70 runs a chain 72 that also runs over a sprocket wheel 73fast-ou the main power shaft 54, and over the sprocket 71 runs a chain74 that also runs over a sprocket 75 fast on the shaft 54. The sprocket73 is larger than the ksprocket 75, and the sprocket 71 is larger thanthe sprocket 70, whereby different speeds may be imparted to the drum 68accordingly as the vdriving iscifected through eitherY one or the otherof the sprocket chains 72 or 74,

lll)

as will be understood. In order that the driving of the drum may beeffected alternatively by either of these driving connections from theshaft 54, I have provided separate clutch mechanisms in connection withtwo sprockets on the drum shaft. Each of these sprockets on the drum'shaft 69 is loosely mounted on said shaft and has its hub formed toconstitute a clutch member adapted to be engaged by a cooperating clutchmember slidingly mounted on the shaft. The sliding clutch member thatcooperates with the sprocket 70 is indicated by 6, and it is opcrated,in the construction shown, through an ordinary shifting lever 77 thathas pivotal connection with a bracket 78, to the outer end portion ofwhich shifting lever is pivotallyA sprocket 71 is indicated by 82- andcan be manipulated by a shifting lever 83 that projects rearwardly andWithin convenient reach of the operator. I thus provide variable speedhoisting mechanism driven by the shaft 54,.for use in connection withthe operation of the rotary drilling device.

Upon the drum 68 will be Wound the cable-indicated by 84-Which, asrepresented in Fig. 2, will be led over pulleys, as usual, supported byanordinary dcrrick and attached to a swiveled head 'which is inengageinent with the drill rod and thereby supports such drill rod as itis rotated and lowered. Y

It Will be understood, of course, that when the rotary device 61 isbeing used in connection ,with the formation of the Well thewalking-beam 43 Will be-Wholly out ofuse, and to render it inoperative-its pitman 42 Will be disconnected from the crank arm 41. Also, thebolts 53 will be removed that bind the head 48 and the plate 49together, atter which the Walking-beam, as will be understood, can beturned laterally on the pivot bolt 50 so as to swing it away 'from theder- 'rick. At this timethe pulley wheel 35 should of course, not bedriven, and to thro-W it out of operation there is provided a slidingclutch member 85 (see Fig. 4) adapted to engage with a fixed clutchmember .86 fast on the projecting end portion of the shaft 32 that isdirectly connected with the pitnian oi the engine. This shift-ing of theclutch member 85 is effected through an ordinary shifting lever 87 thatis -pivoted at 88 to a bracket 89 secured to one of the members of themain frame.

lVhen the drilling of the Well is to be conv tinued Without the ,use ofthe rotary, but with the aid of the Walking-beam for reciprocatingconnected to one end of a cable such, for example, as shown in Fig.10,'Wherein the cable is indicated by A90 and is shown connected withain ordinary adjustable screw-threaded device indicated generally by 91which at its upper end is connected in the usual manner with an -endportion of the Walking-beam. As'usual, such cable will be looped throughthe device 91, so as to provide the required amount .of slack in thecable to compensate the drilling tools', such tools will be, as usual,

for the progress made by the drilling tools. This cable 90, as shown inFig. 10, will be led over a pulley block 92 and down to and Wrappedaround a drum 93 that extends across the machine and, in theconstruction shown, arranged at some little distance forward of theother drum 68 that has been described. This drum 93 is driven by meansot' a chainv94 that passes over a sprocket 95 fast on the shaft 96 uponwhich said drum y93 is secured, said chain. also passing over a sprocket97 that is loose on the drive shaft 54. This sprocket 97 is adapted tobe connected with and driven by said shaftv 54 by means of a clutchmember 98 that is slidingly mounted on said shaft'and engages with thecooperating clutch member projecting from the face of the hub of thesprocket 97, as Will be clear from an-inspection of Fig. 6. This slidingclutch member 98 is moved by a shifting lever 99 that is pivoted at 100to a bracket 101, the shiftinglever heilig pivotally connected With oneend of a rod 102 that at its other end is connected with a handle bar103 that is Within easy reach ofthe operator.

As the Weight imposed upon the cables that Wind around these two drumsis of course very great, it is necessary to provide very effect-ivemeans for so braking the drums that their rotation is at all times undercontrol of the operator, and inasmuch as only one of the two drums is inoperation at any one time, of course, I have been able to provide asingle operating means for the two braking devices as Will now bedescribed. At 104 is shown a rock-shaft extending parallel With theshafts of said two drums and supported in bearings secured to thelongitudinal members of the main frame. Around each head of the drum 68is Wrapped a brake band 105, one end of cach of Which is made fast toany suit-able support-the rock-shaft itself in the construction shown inFig. 2-a1id the other end of which is turned and engaged by a screw 106that is pivotally connected, as shown in said Fig. 2, to a crank arm 107that extends out from said rock-shaft. The other drum 93 is shown (seeFig.2) as havingone` of its heads surrounded ,Aby a similar brake band108., one end of which, in the construction shown, is made fast to asuitable support such as the bar 109, While its other end is turned andengaged by a 'screw 110 that is pifvoted to la crank arm 111 similar tothe crank arm 107. Thile only o'le brake band is shown in connectionwith the drum 93, it of course might have a brake band at each end, justas in the case of the drum 68. Aiiixed tothe rock-shaft104 is a handlebar 112 (sce Fig. 3) Within convenient reach of the operator, .and itwill be'evi'dent from an inspection of Fig. 2 that a turning of therock-shaft 104 will set the braking devices on either drum. Of course,hoWe'ver,`When either drum is not in use becauseof the use oftheapparatus controlled by the. other drum, then its brake band will bedisconnected from .operative position, which, by reason of the bandsbeing connected to their respective screws, can be very quickly andreadily effected.

The driving of the main power shaft 54 from which power is taken fordriving the rotary and the drums 68 and 93, as herein explained, isthrough the chain 55 that runs over the sprocket wheels 56, 57 on theshafts 32 and 54, respectively. The large spools 116 that are shown onthe end portions of the shaft 54 are provided merely for use inconnection with any other apparatus which it may be desired to usein-connection with the mechanism. They, of course, have no necessaryconnection with the present invention.k

While the spudding incr-drilling at the commencement of making a wellmight be performed with the aid of the walking-beam in muchl the sameway that such walkingbeam is employed as herein described in connectionwith the jumping of the tools, yet it is more desirable to employ othermeans because of the fact that the first fifty or one hundred feet or soof the boring operation can Well be performed generally much morerapidly than is possible with the use of such walking-beam. To that endI provide themachine with special means for perform- Y -ing thisspudding operation, vwhich means comprises a rock-shaft 117 (see Fig.1),wl1ich is journaled in suitable bearings depending from the-mainframe 20. Keyed to this shaft and rising therefrom is a heavy arm 118,to

the upper end of which there is pivoted the rear end of aV comparativelylong link 119, shown in dotted linesin Fig. 1, and which at its forwardend is pivotally connected with the crank 41 which at other times is,

as before described, connected with the pitman 42. As best shown in Fig.5, there is also keyed to this rock-shaft 117 another arm 120 thatstands at an angle to the arm 118, so that the two in effect form abell-crank lever. Through the forward end portion of this arm 120extends a pin upon which 'is rotatably mounted a grooved pulley 121around which passes the cable -90-that, as before explained, is Wrappedaround the drum 93, and which cable, under other conditions ofuse,carries the drilling tools that are used in connection with theemployment cf the walking-beam as before described. This cable 90, inthe use now being described, will pass up over and around the pulleyssupported from the derrick, ,as in F igi 2. and at its' end will supportthe usual spudding tools.' 'Notwithstanding that the pitman 42 isdisconnected from the crank 41, so that the walking-beam is of courseout of operation and swung laterally ou't. of the Way, the 'large pulleywheel 35 will of course be driven through a proper manipulation 4of theclutch member 85, and hence as such pulley wheel and its shaft are`rotated'the long link 119 that has been connected to the crank 41 will,

through the arm 118, so rock the rock-shaft 117 as to swing the groovedpulley 121 in 'until the depth reached and the nature of the groundbeing worked will cause the1r operator to thereafter connect up thedevices so as to drive the rotary in the manner already described. Y

By my invention I provide a machine that,

after being placed in position Where a well y is to be drilled, canperform all of the operations incident to the making of a well by theuse of spudding tools, the rotary, and a cable rig for reciprocatingdrilling tools, and can also at any time be used for withdrawing fromthe well the tools or any casing that has been inserted therein. Forthese withdrawing purposes the engine, of course, will be reversed,so`as to rewind upon its drumythat one of the cables that is being used,and such reversal as here shown will be effected (see Fig. 1)throughmechanism comprising a lever 122 with which is connected a rod123 that leads back within convenient reach of the operator. All of thevarious lever devices for throwing the several clutches that control theseveral devices, asjhereinbefore explained, are also under the controlof a single operator stationed at the rear end of the machine, which, asillustrated in Fig. 2, is the end adjacent to the derrick over the lWellthat is being drilled.

The construction and'arrangement of the several parts as herein shownand described provides a sin le mechanism so organized as.,

to be adapted for drilling by the use of either reciprocating or rotarydevicesf-the reciproeating means being actuated as usual through thefrictional power-transmitting medium of a belt and a pulley over whichthe belt passes, and the rotary means being positively driven, in theusual manner, through sprocket and chain members, and either of saiddrilling means being independently adapted to be l readily connectedwith the power producing means.

What I claim as my invention and desire 'to secure by Letters Patent,is-'- vl. In a well drilling machine, the combination With a frame, a'power driven shaftmeans for driving the latter shaft from said powerdriven shaft, and drilling mechanism driven by said main power shaft.

2. In a well drilling machine, the combination with a frame, a powerdriven shaft mounted thereon, a. walking beam mounted on said frame anda. pulley wheel for actuating the same, of a pulley supported by saidframe, a belt connecting said pulley with said pulley wheel, clutchmechanism for driving said pulley from said power driven shaft, a

main power shaft mounted on said frame,

means for driving the latter shaft from said power driven shaft,hoisting mechanism mounted on the'frame, and clutch controlled sprocketwheel and chain power transmitting mechanism carried by said main powershaft, for driving said hoisting mechanism.

3. In a well drilling machine, the combination with a frame, a powerdriven shaft mounted thereon,a walking beam mounted on said frame and apulley wheel for actuating the same, of-a pulley supported by saidframe, a belt connecting said pulley with said pulley wheel, clutchmechanism for driving said pulley from said power driven shaft, a mainpower shaft mounted on said frame, means for driving the latter shaftfrom said power driven shaft, and sprocket wheel and chain mechanism fordriving a rotary drilling device from said main power shaft.

4. In a well drilling machine, the combination with a frame, a powerdriven shaft mounted thereon, a walking beam mounted on said frame, anda pulley wheel for actuating the same, of a pulley supported by saidframe, a belt connecting said pulley with said pulley wheel, clutchmechanism for driving said pulley fromsaid power driven shaft, a mainpower shaft mounted on said lframe, means for driving the latter shaftfrom said power driven shaft, sprocket wheel and chain mechanism fordriving a rotary drilling device from said main power shaft, and clutchmechanism for controlling the operation of the latter mechanism.

5. In a well drilling machine, the combination with a frame, 4a powerdriven shaft mounted thereon, a walking beam mounted on said frame, anda pulley wheel `for actuating the same, of'a pulley supported by saidframe, a belt connecting said pulley with said pulley wheel, clutchmechanism for driving nation with a frame, a power driven shaft 'mountedthereon, a walking beam mounted onsaid frame, and a pulley wheel foractuating the same, of a pulley supported by said frame, a beltconnecting said pulley with said pulley wheel, clutch mechanism fordriving said pulley from said power driven shaft, a main power shaftmounted on said frame, means for driving the latter shaft from saidpower driven shaft, a hoisting drum also mounted on said frame, sprocketwheel and cha-in mechanism for'.driving said hoisting drum from saidmain power shaft, and clutch mechanism on said main power shaft forcontrolling the operation of the latter mechanism. p

7. In a well drilling machine, the combination with a frame, a -powerdriven shaft mounted thereon, a walking beam mounted on said frame, anda pulley wheel for actuating the same, of apulley shaft mounted on saidframe in alinement with said power driven shaft, a pulley mounted onsaid pulley shaft, clutch mechanism for connecting and ydisconnectingsaid shafts, a main power shaft mounted on said frame, means for drivingthe latter shaft from said power driven shaft, and drilling mechanismdriven by said main power shaft.

8. In a well drilling machine, the combination with a frame, a powerdriven shaft mounted thereon, a walking beam mounted on said frame, anda pulley wheel for actuating the same, vof a `pulley shaft mounted onsaid frame in alinenient with said power driven shaft, a pulley mountedon said pulley shaft, clutch mechanism for connecting and. disconnectingsaid shafts, a main power shaft mounted on said frame, means for drivingthe latter-shaft from said power driven shaft, clutch controlledsprocket wheel and chain power transmitting mechanism mounted on saidmain power shaft, and drilling mechanism driven by said main powershaft.

9. In al well drilling machine, the combination of a frame, a power.driven shaft mounted thereon, a main power shaft mounted on said frame,means for driving the latter shaft from said power driven shaft, ,ahoisting drum also mounted on said frame, and means for driving saiddrum from said main power shaft at different rates of speed comprising apair of sprocket wheels mounted on the main power shaft and driventhereby, a pair of sprocket wheels respectively mounted adj acent to theopposite end portions of said drum,

clutch mechanism for connecting either of the latter sprocket wheelswith said drum inde'- ,pendently of the other, and means for separatelydriving the latter sprocket wheels from said main power shaft throughone or the other of the sprocket wheels thereon, the driving meansassociated with one end of said drum being arranged to drive said drumat a different rate of speed from the driving mechanism associated withthe other en d of said drum.

10. In a well drilling machine, the combination with a frame, a powerdriven shaft mounted thereon, a pulley wheel driven from ,said shaft, acrank rotating with said pulley wheel, a vwalking bea-m, and apitmanadapted to be connected with said crank for driving said walkingbeam, of spudding mechanism comprising a "rock shaft mounted o n saidframe, a pair of arms fixed tov said rock shaft and extending at anangle to each other, y,a pulley carried by one of said arms a cable orsupporting and actuating spudding devices, said pulley engaging a bightof said cable and operating to take upor pay out the slack thereof assaid rock shaft rocks in one direction or the other, and a link adaptedto connect the other arm of said rock shaft with said pulley wheelcrank.

11. yIn a well drilling machine, the combination with a frame,a powerdriven shaft mounted thereon, a pulley mounted on said for supportingand actuating spudding de vices, said pulley engaging a bight of saidcable and operating to take up or` pay out the slack thereof as saidrock shaft rocks in one direction or the other, and a link adapted toconnect the other arm of said rock shaft with said pulley wheel crank.

12. In a well drilling machine, the combination with a frame, a powerdriven shaft mounted thereon, a walking beam mounted on Said frame, anda pulley wheel for actuating said walking beam, of a pulley supported bysaid frame, a belt'connecting said pulley with said pulley wheel,clutchmechanism for driving said pulley from said power driven shaft, aymain power shaft mounted on said frame, hoisting mechanism, andvariable speed mechanism for driving said hoisting l mechanism from saidmain power shaft.

13. In a well drilling machine, the com bination with-a frame, a powerdriven shaft mounted thereon, a walking beam mounted on said frame and apulley wheel for actuating the same, of a pulley supported by saidframe, a belt connectingsaid pulley with said pulley wheel, clutchmechanismfor driving /said pulley from said power driven shaft, a mainpower shaft mounted on said frame, means for driving the latter shaftfrom said power driven shaft, hoisting mechanism mounted on the frame,and clutch controlled variable speed sprocket wheel and chain powertransmitting mechanism carried by said main power shaft, for drivingsaid hoisting mechanism.

- ISAAC T. THOMPSON.

